Marilyn J. Ingebretson

Marilyn Joanne (Carlson) Ingebretson passed away peacefully on Dec. 28, 2022, at Valley View Village in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 91. She had formerly made her home in Thornton, Iowa.

Marilyn was born to Edward Carlson and Eva (Lifto) Carlson in Sioux Falls, S.D., on May 21, 1931. Her sister Elaine was born in 1938. The family moved to St. Paul, Minn. shortly thereafter and Marilyn grew up singing in school choirs and playing the piano at church and school. Her favorite childhood memories included riding the streetcars in St. Paul, fun at Como Lake, and spending hours and hours at libraries. 

After high school, she studied at the Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minn., graduating with her Registered Nursing degree in 1952. She later worked as a nurse in Forest City, Iowa for many years. 

Marilyn met her future husband, Marlin, at a wedding where she accompanied him as the soloist. Marilyn married Marlin Eugene Ingebretson in St. Paul, Minn. on June 19, 1953. He graduated from Luther Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1954. Together, they dedicated their lives to Christian service at churches throughout Kansas and Iowa for the next 43 years. They were blessed with the births of their children Mark, Karen, Janna, Susan, and Kent. 

Marilyn was known for her musical gifts playing both the piano and organ. She sewed, quilted, and served in worship and education leadership in her home churches as well as dedicating her musical, sewing, and baking skills to community service events. As an avid reader, she kept the libraries busy in every town she lived in and from a young age remembers happily bringing home as many books as she could carry.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Mark (Tina) Ingebretson of Rochester, Minn., Karen Burrier of Des Moines, Iowa, Janna Willardson of Forney, Texas, Susan (Jim) Cramer of Orange, Calif., 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, brother-in-law Dean (Diann) Ingebretson, brother-in-law George Boyd, and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by parents Edward and Eva Carlson, husband of 57 years, Marlin E. Ingebretson (2010), infant son Kent David Ingebretson (1966), and sister Elaine Boyd (2009). 

Marilyn has passed on to her family the love of reading, music, laughing, sewing, and baking (especially Norwegian Kringla). Most importantly, she leaves a lasting legacy of faith, devotion to her church, and examples of Christian service. 

A memorial and celebration of life service is planned for May 2023. Please refer to the Iles Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa for updated information. www.IlesCares.com (Search for Ingebretson under the Obituaries tab.)

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to these organizations that meant so much to Marilyn: Lutheran World Relief - https://lwr.org/ and Valley View Village Assisted Living, https://www.valleyviewvillage.org/donate/.